The relevance of the topic is due to the need to understand not only the physical consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war, but also the impact on the identity, memory and cultural heritage of Ukraine. The purpose of the article was to comprehensively analyse the legal and philosophical challenges that Ukraine faces in the process of protecting material heritage during the armed conflict, to search for specific recommendations on effective mechanisms for its protection. Culture is considered as a system of moral values, a specific form of human existence. The relationship with the definition of "mentality" is highlighted. The concepts of "cultural heritage", "cultural values", and the connection between them are revealed. The formation of the norms of the international legal system regarding the issues of protecting monuments in historical retrospect is concisely explained. The legal and philosophical challenges in this regard that face society in the current realities are analysed. Attention is drawn to some regulatory documentation on the regulation of this issue in our country and abroad. The article examined the philosophical aspects of the protection of cultural monuments, in particular, raises issues of identity, memory and responsibility to future generations. The importance of integrating cultural values into the national consciousness is emphasised. The impact of globalisation on local cultural objects is considered, that is, the need for a balance between international standards of their protection and own traditions is noted. The problems of destruction of monuments of the Chernihiv-Siver region, the border region in relation to the Russian Federation, are emphasised. The results of the study can be used by specialists in the fields of philosophy and law to develop effective strategies for protecting cultural monuments in times of war, as well as to form philosophical approaches to their preservation